BHUBANESWAR:Taking stern note of rising incidents of kidney sale in the State, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report from the Government on the latest happening where a
poverty-stricken Dalit youth of Kandhamal parted with his organ for money.
The Commission has directed the Collector and the SP of Kandhamal to file their reports within four weeks. The directions came in response to a petition filed by rights activist Akhand demanding action against the people involved and direction to the Government to take strong steps to prevent such illegalities.
Kanhu Behera (20) had sold one of his kidneys to a man in Brahmapur for Rs 3.5 lakh in April this year. The kidney transplant had been done at a hospital in Sri Lanka.
Kanhu has himself admitted to have sold his organ for money to construct a house.
The only son of a daily wage earner Barun Behera of Harijan Sahi of Phulbani of Kandhamal district, he did odd jobs to help his father run the family.
He had to discontinue his studies due to acute poverty and decided to sell one of his kidneys after coming in contact with a broker to make a good house for his family.
“Due to acute poverty, a Dalit poor boy was forced to sell a kidney. His family has no BPL card nor provided with any Government assistance,” Akhand alleged.
The State Government has also ordered a Crime Branch probe into the whole incident establishing the entire trail from tracking Kanhu and the recipient, middleman racket, involvement of local hospital or doctor, arranging passport and travel documents and visit to Sri Lanka for surgery.
Right Move
■ NHRC has directed Collector and SP of Kandhamal to file their reports within four weeks
■ The State Government has also ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident
■ Kanhu Behera had sold one of his kidneys to a man in Brahmapur for Rs 3.5 lakh in April this year
■ The kidney transplant had been done at a hospital in Sri Lanka